Collar stiffener



, April 3, 1945 G. M. M. yAccARELLA 2,372,752

COLLAR STIFFENER Filed Feb. 29, 1944 130) '-l FEE-.a

zalm

INVENTOR emsEPPE nnynccnneun bwlww ATTORNEY 25 binds just enough to hold it in adjusted position although not enough to make forcible sliding of the pin by the fingers dicult.

Thus, when the pin 25 is retracted, as shown in Fig. 5, and the arms II, I2 are folded, these parts will frictionally retain their inoperative positions whereby the Various pin points are within the connes of the body IU and will not stick the user.

To use the stiffener, it may be applied to the collar either before or after the collar is placed on the neck of the wearer, according to the desire of the wearer. The arm pins I3 and I4 will be inserted in the hem 30 on the underside of the wing. The points will pierce only the hem and not the outside ply of fabric so that the stiffener will remain hidden. The body I will then be pressed upwardly in such manner as to cause the arms I I, I 2 to spread apart somewhatv to laterally stretch the material of the wing. The place at which the arm pins are stuck into the hem is so chosen that under this condition the lower part of the body l occupies a position well within the connes of the tip 3l of the collar at which time the pin 25 will be moved downwardly by the user to pierce the Lmaterial of the hem 3D but not the outside ply of the collar.

'Ihus the collar wing is under tension both laterally and lengthwise thereof, imparting a smooth appearance to the wing and preventing formation of wrinkles.

The stifener may be made of any suitable material, either metal or plastic except for the pins and possibly the pivots and spring washers, which it might be better to make of metal. It is preferable that the material have some weight to help hold the collar wings down. The body and arms may be die cast as shown with the arm pins I3 and I4 cast in the arms and the adjustable pin hole 26 cast in the body I 0. Or the body and arms may be made from sheet stock.

Thus a collar wing stiiener in the form of an attachment is provided which is inexpensive to make and simple and eicient in use. It folds up in such way as to permit easy carrying in ones pocket without danger of getting pricked by the pins. It is easily opened into operative position and applied to the collar. It is capable of use with diierent types and makes of collarand is also capable of use with diierent shapes and angles of the wing. The same stiiener may be used with practically all makes and sizes of collar.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed herein, and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A collar stiffener for stiiening the wing of a soft collar or the like, comprising a body member having a guide at its lower part, an adjustable pin slidable in said guide, right and left arm members, pivot means connecting said arm members to the upper part of said body member, fixed pin members rigidly secured to the free ends of said arm members, said xed pin members being adapted to engage the hem of the collar at the bottom and front edge of the wing thereof, said adjustable pin member being adapted to engage the hem at the tip of the wing.

2. A collar stiiener for stiiening the wing of a soft collar or the like, comprising a body member having a guide at its bottom, an adjustable pin slidable in said guide,y right and left arm members, pivot means connecting said arm members respectively to the upper part of said body member, xed pin members rigidly secured to the free ends of said arm members, said xed pin members projecting in directions substantially opposite to said adjustable =pin when the arm members are in operative position, said fixed pin members being laterally oiTset beyond the confines of said arm members, said xed pin members being adapted to engage the hem of the collar at the bottom and front edge of the wing thereof, said adjustable pin member being adapted to engage the hem at the tip of the wing.

3. A collar stiiener for stiflening the wing of a soft collar or the like, comprising a V-shaped body member having a guide at its lower point, an adjustable pin member slidable in said guide, right and left arm members, pivot means connecting said arm members respectively to the upper corners of said body member, xed pin members rigidly secured to the free ends of said arm members, said fixed pin members projecting in directions substantially opposite to said adjustable pin member when the arm members are in operative position` said pin members having points laterally offset beyond the connes of said arm members, said xed pin members being adapted to engage the hem of the collar at the bottom and front edge of the wing thereof, said adjustable pin member being adapted to engage the hem at the tip of the wing, said arm members being foldable downwardly with their pin members within the confines of said body member, and said adjustable pin member being retractible so that its point is within the connes of said body member.

GIUSEPPE M. M. VACCARELLA. 

